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Maks doesn’t waste any time on pleasantries. “Heidi, you’re in danger. I know how you feel on the matter, but you need to accept my protection. I’d prefer if you let me hide you away for a week or so until I can be sure you’re safe.”
The gravity of his words sinks in, and a shiver of fear crawls up my spine. “What happened? Why do I need your protection?”
Maksim sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. “I received a threat. My enemies know who you are to me, and they know how to get to you.”
His enemies. The revelation turns my body cold. The knowledge that I’m a target because of my association with Maks jars me from my happy state of denial. I thought that our strategy to keep our relationship hidden would be enough. I was kidding myself. I never should have taken the risk. And now my daughter, my precious Sarah, could be in danger too.
Instantly, I’m furious with myself for succumbing to my attraction and ignoring my better sense. I can’t accept his protection without having everything blow up in my face. Because if I accept his protection, I’ll have to tell him about Sarah. And he may or may not agree to house my daughter if he finds out I’ve been keeping Sarah a secret. That’s a risk I’m willing to take. I need to figure out a way to keep us safe without involving Maks.
But how?
The thought hits me like a bolt of lightning. If his enemies realize I’m as meaningless to him as the metaphorical contract we signed, maybe they won’t consider me a target. I take a deep breath, trying to sound resolute. “Maks, you don’t need to hide me away. That will only put a bigger target on my back. The answer is simple. We need to stop seeing each other.”
It’s harder to say than I imagined it could be, and as soon as the words leave my mouth, an aching sadness grips my chest. But I forge on, determined to convince him. “This was just a business contract anyway, right? If you make it clear that it’s over between us and that I’m not the leverage they think I am, I’ll be far safer than if you do anything to prove you care—like spiriting me away.”
His expression darkens, and I can see the frustration building in his eyes. “That’s not an option,” he growls. “If they don’t believe it, then you would be left completely exposed.”
“Well, then, make it convincing. It’s the truth, isn’t it? You’ve said it yourself. You don’t do love. And if they’re watching you closely enough to know about me, then they must know that about you. I’m sure they’ve seen all the other girls you’ve slept with and let go. So, this, now, is the perfect opportunity for you to make a convincing show of breaking it off with me. Then we’ll go our separate ways, and you won’t have to concern yourself with my safety anymore.”
I can tell he’s unconvinced, and I sense the storm brewing as his anger simmers beneath the surface.
“Why can’t you just do as you’re told, for once?” he demands, his voice laced with frustration as he steps close to me.
His proximity alone makes my heart flutter, and I suddenly hate the power he has over me. I’m helpless against his charm, unarmed when it comes to defending my heart.
And after a sleepless night of fighting the emotions he’s triggered in me, I can’t handle the roller coaster anymore. I never imagined I would not only have to endure the pain of losing him but also have to convince him that leaving me is the best thing for all of us.
The pain that sliced through me at having to tell him goodbye gives rise to a sudden burst of anger. And before I can control the urge, I shove him, my voice rising as it fills with indignation. “Why should I? You’re just an arrogant ass who thinks he can just tell women what to do and they’ll obey your every command. You boss everyone around and expect them to just blindly follow orders. But I have a mind of my own, and I intend to use it.”
Maks’s eyes narrow, his anger intensifying. “Is that what you’ve been telling your friend, Zoe, to make her dislike me? That I’m an arrogant, controlling ass?”
Caught off guard by the accusation and shocked that he’s aware of Zoe’s feelings toward him at all, I’m momentarily stunned into silence. But as I scramble for an excuse to explain Zoe’s discomfort, he brushes his question aside with a dismissive wave.
“You know what? If you want to paint me as the bad guy, I might as well play the part,” he threatens, his voice taking on a dangerous edge.
Anger seethes from him, making me tremble as I really face for the first time that Maks has the potential to be a dangerous person. And while I’m fairly confident he won’t hurt me when this entire display of temper is about protecting me, that doesn’t stop my body’s very real, visceral reaction to his size combined with the heat of his wrath.
“When it comes down to it, I don’t need your permission, Heidi. I canmakeyou come with me if you won’t agree.” He closes the distance between us in an instant, his intent clear as he grabs for my arm.
Instinctual fear hits me with a surge of adrenaline, and I lash out, slapping him across the face. The sharp sound of skin meeting skin echoes through the room, and Maks’s head snaps to the side. His gaze returns to me slowly, a mixture of surprise and fury in his eyes.
And for a moment, we both freeze.
Shocked by my unexpected response and entirely uncertain of how he might react, I panic. Before he can make a move, I dash for the door as quickly as my heels will carry me. I can’t believe I hit him. I’ve never done that before, and I’m as mortified as I am terrified.
A strong hand catches my upper arm before I can reach the exit, jerking me back toward Maks, and using the momentum of my sudden direction change, he shoves me up against the wall. He pins me there, one strong hand on each of my arms, restraining me.
Heart hammering in my chest, all I can do is stare up at him with wide eyes. He looks furious, the heat of his gaze blasting through me like a laser. A violent shiver runs up my spine, and my lips part to apologize.
Before I can utter a sound, he’s kissing me, his lips crashing down on mine with frenzied passion. Heat blasts away the cold fear inside me, turning my core into a blistering inferno in a matter of seconds.
All that tension, anxiety, and hidden pain behind my angry words transforms into a desperation unlike anything I’ve known before. As Maks kisses me, hard and deep, I lean forward, kissing him back with equal fury.
33
MAKSIM
Ican’t control myself around Heidi. Even when she’s pissed off, she’s sexy. And though she’s entirely infuriating because she’s so damn hard-headed, as soon as I touch her, I know I’ve lost the upper hand.
